Mountain Bikes · Public discussion

Newbie/Returnee looking for MTB bike advice!

Started by ClanMoffat · · Last activity · 2 posts · 2,176 views

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Mountain Bikes
Published
3 June 2013
Last activity
4 June 2013
Original author
ClanMoffat
Posts
2
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Public discussion
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Topics
Cantilever and V-brakesDisc brakesMountain bikingBrake pads

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  1. Original post
    ClanMoffat
    Archived post
    #1

    Hi guys!

    After a break from the saddle of around 20 years (and a few kilos) I'm looking at getting back on.

    I'm about 6ft and in need of cutting down the weight at around 15 1/2 stone (98kg)... 🙁

    I'm looking at getting a bike through work, and will be limited to Evans Cycles.

    The main use will be off-road (due to lack of confidence - to begin with at least).
    We live in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, near to a canal with gravel / packed tracks alongside...
    On the other hand, work is near to the Whitlee windfarm - a huge area with around 200 huge wind turbines with a circuit of tracks that are suitable for 4x4s only with a mixture of gravel and sand tracks.
    I can see that I'll keep to canal paths to build up some oomph before heading to the windfarm, but it looks a brilliant place to ride!

    I am looking at a couple of 29ers and would like advice on the following:

    1) GT Timberline 2.0 2013 - evanscycles.comtimberline 20 2013 mountain bike ec042818 at 340 GBP.
    2) GT Timberline 1.0 2013 - evanscycles.comtimberline 10 2013 mountain bike ec042819 at 380 GBP.

    The obvious difference is the breaks.

    Can anyone advise as to whether or not I'd notice the difference as a newbie/returnee...?
    Would the 2.0 be enough as a starter or should I push out the extra 40 to get the 1.0...?

    Sadly my budget is limited and 380 is going to be the realistic limit - I doubt I could get the wonderful wife to agree to higher! 🙂

    Any other suggestions welcome!
    (Bear in mind my deal through work is limited to evanscycles.comevanscycles.com .)

    Cheers!
    Ron

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  2. alfeng
    Archived post
    #2

    As you have observed, the one model has disc brakes & the other has V-brakes ...

    Whether the difference will be meaningful to YOU depends on the type of riding conditions which you anticipate encountering ...

    • wet & sloppy more often than not -- choose the model with the disc brakes grit kills rims


    [*] dry 90+ % of the time -- choose the model with the V-brakes

    [LIST] post-ride/mid-ride maintenance in the way of checking the brake pads for embedded debris & removal of same limits the unnecessary scouring of the rim's braking surface

    You can always retrofit disc brakes onto the version with the V-brakes, but NOT vice-versa because the slightly more expensive model lacks the necessary brake bosses ...

    • retrofitting can be potentially pricey because you will also need different hubs + the brake rotors

    For the foreseeable future, it will be easier to convert the frame which has V-brakes for use on paved roadways (e.g., Drop bars + Road levers) if you think THAT might be a future consideration ...

    Consequently, the potential adaptability of the less expensive version is the reason that it is the one which 'I' would probably choose.

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